Inviolability of the Mission Premises

Subject(s):

Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations — Right to property

This chapter looks into Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which deals with the inviolability of the diplomatic mission premises. The Article expresses that along with the premises of mission being inviolable, the agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission. Under the Article, the receiving is under a special duty to take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of the mission and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity. Lastly, the Article states that the premises of the mission, their furnishings, and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment, or execution. The chapter stresses the legal concept of inviolability given to the premises of the diplomatic mission.